Maharashtra’s first: Jalgaon introduces smart voter slips with public barcodes, replacing paper

A voter slip is a document issued to registered voters before an election. It typically contains information such as the voter’s name, polling station details (including address and booth number), and the date and time of the election. It serves as a confirmation of the voter’s registration and provides essential information about where and when to cast their vote. Voter slips are often distributed by election authorities or political parties to help voters locate their polling stations and participate in the electoral process efficiently.

As a replacement for traditional paper slips, this online voter slip is akin to receiving a digital invitation to vote.

“Screen time on mobile phones has increased across all age groups. People have become accustomed to searching and making payments by scanning 2D barcodes, even for voter awareness purposes. There is also an innate desire among people to find their names, bringing them a sense of happiness when they succeed. We decided to capitalise on these behavioural patterns for election awareness by providing online voter slips for viewing and downloading, which brings people joy,” said Ayush Prasad, district election officer, Jalgaon.

“Moreover, the digital voter slips on mobile devices will help minimise waiting times during the voting process, as individuals will have access to their serial numbers in the voters’ list and the location of the polling station,” he added.

A total of 250 holders with barcodes to access the voter list are installed in various crowded places in the district, such as bus stations, railway stations, markets, and business areas, for better accessibility. “Jalgaon is the first district that came up with the idea of putting up a simple white board with a clear message and a QR code / 2D barcode,” he added.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Janardhan Pawar, district administration officer, explained that the barcode directly takes users to the Election Commission website based on their constituency. Then there are three ways to check details. “Voters can search directly using their registered names. Alternatively, they can use their phone number linked with an Aadhaar card. Upon entering it, they will receive an OTP to submit for details. Thirdly, they can use their voter ID card number,” Pawar said.

So far, the district has received a positive response from the new smart installation. Traditional methods of issuing printed voter slips often face challenges such as inaccuracies in voter lists, distribution delays, and technological barriers, potentially leading to confusion and disenfranchisement.

Moreover, it’s common for voters, especially the elderly, to forget or misplace their slips. With digital voter slips and online access to details, voters can stay more informed and vigilant,” said Pawar.